About L'inizio

Rated as one of the Best Italian Restaurants in 2015 by Westchester Magazine, L’inizio offers a seasonal, Italian inspired menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients. Westchester residents and NYC restaurant veterans, Scott and Heather Fratangelo look forward to hosting you for dinner every Monday through Sunday. L’inizio is also pleased to offer a Prix Fixe menu every Monday through Wednesday for $33.00, as well as our 1/2 priced wines on Tuesdays. We can’t wait to see you!

Special Events & Promotions:There’s no such thing as too much Italian and that’s why L’inizio is expanding! Watch this space for more information in the coming months. A special thank you to our faithful customers and the town of Ardsley for making this next phase of our journey possible.

Salty, overcooked pasta. I had the linguini with clam & chorizo. Clams were salty from the brine, and the chorizo is already a salty meat, making it a mouthful of salt. $30 for osso buco, you imagine a decent cut. My husband got 2 small small shanks over some sort of pickled vegetable, not appealing. I think its difficult to find decent restaurants in the suburbs, so less than avg ones like these float to the top. If this was in the city, it would be akin to a bad local neighborhood restaurant rated 17 in Zagat, and would close in months. Its not as bad as Tony DiNapoli in Times Sq, but it certainly isn't Scarpetta, Perla, or even a hole in the wall like Uva in the upper east side.

We had a wonderful dinner after a movie. The kale salad was very tasty and the bits of cheese were a tasty addition. My husband loved his abundant prosciutto appetizer (these appetizers were big enough to make ample lunches the next day). My main course of shrimp in a slightly lemony sauced pasta was original and delicious. I confess I've forgotten what my husband's entree was but I remember it was large and satisfying. Coffee and yummy biscotti rounded out and memorable dinner.

My second time at L'inizio, and it was great. Food is fresh. Service is quick and professional. We ordered the grilled octopus which was delicious. The pasta was cooked perfectly and packed with flavor.

This was our second time here. Just like last time, the food was very good. We can’t wait to return. Surprised the place wasn’t busier. In my opinion, the best Italian food in Westchester. Not for those looking for chicken parm and spaghetti and meatballs. This is real Italian food with local flavor.

Tags: Cozy, Local Ingredients, Good for a Date, Fit for Foodies, Creative Cuisine, Handcrafted Cocktails, Good for Anniversaries, Special Occasion, Authentic

Loved it! Food was exceptional..chose the branzino .....Sauce was amazing! My husband had the rigatoni bolognese...also amazing! Not our first visit...and won't be our last!Lucky to have a restaurant of this caliber in our small village!

The food was amazing, not one thing we ordered was ordinary or unpleasant. The portions were quite large and given that it was restaurant week, was surprising. Typically during restaurant week the potion size is half of what you would normally expect.

The only draw back is that the acoustics in the restaurant are poor and they were playing what they deemed "Halloween music" and it was loud. Not sure how Santana became Halloween music, but oh, well. We asked to have the music turned down a bit and they complied. The music was the only flaw.

Tags: Fit for Foodies, Special Occasion, Good for Birthdays, Great for Lunch, Neighborhood Gem, Worth the Drive

I am a frequent customer and this time was very disappointed in a couple of basics that this restaurant could improve on very simply. To get specific, their promise that bread would be arriving was unkept and after them dropping off our glass of wine still no bread, which had me get up from our table and seek someone out (one Waiter seemed to not be there at all mentally) to ask that they bring bread which came in small chips that had been picked over.2) chicken Milanese, a special, severely disappointed as I expected arugula on top of the cutlet but it was underneath and totally steamed and unappetizing. As a garnish was puréed squash whose texture and taste are not complementary and were unappealing.Service remains sketchy at this restaurant, people circle around but don't really offer service.

The people on staff were attentive throughout our meal. The food was great. Only small issue was that the tables are close together, and restaurant is small and felt cramped. Overall, however, it was a very nice experience and we'd definitely go back.

Tags: Fit for Foodies, Seasonal, Special Occasion, Neighborhood Gem, Cozy, Worth the Drive, Authentic, Business Meals, Great for Brunch, Good for Anniversaries, Fun, Handcrafted Cocktails, Creative Cuisine, Romantic, Local Ingredients, Good for a Date, Healthy

We have eaten at this restaurant many times and enjoyed good food - not great - but trying to be gourmet. We made the mistake of going on Saturday night at 7:00. Impossible to hear ourselves think, let alone talk. One waiter who was overwhelmed and didn't bring drinks in a timely manner. Obviously we're in the minority because the place was packed!

Always a great experience at L'Inizio. Decided to stay at the bar and try the new additions to the bar menu. The chicken sliders are amazing. Still I believe the best burger in Westchester! Great friendly service and always a pleasure to try one of Chef Scott's new creations!

As much as we always think of L'Inizio as a neighborhood kind of place and do enjoy the food, I'm finding lately that the prices are high (there is a price fixe Sun-Thurs which my husband opted for), the menu despite trying to be creative errs on the side of trendy. It might be imaginative to point out Sicilian lemons or capers but all of this on a menu is too much information. It's like bragging and I'd like to see less of that when I go out for dinner. A couple of additional creative pastas would be nice and Market fish of the day was trout of which I am not a fan. (Is it so hard to keep a classic Caesar salad as an appetizer?) . The menu seems as if it's been so finely honed that it has become limited. Short ribs of beef ...enough already.How about a nice classic veal scallopini or is that not politically correct for l' Inizio's clientele?A couple came in as we were having our first course and left because we overheard them say she was vegan. I know in restaurant business you can't please everyone 100% of the time but this Tues night found the restaurant less than 1/2 full.The desserts are fabulous as always...thanks Heather, you shine, but kale, kale, kale enough already w/ the short ribs (too heavy for summer dining).Thanks for listening.

Great Ardsley Italian spot. The food is done very well - always interesting specials. I must admit we eat mostly at the small bar room connected to the restaurant, but have eaten at in the main dining room as well. It's the date night go to. Good wines, good service, and a great meal.

Our first time and we were pleasantly surprised! We really enjoyed the food and would highly recommend checking out L'inizio. Fresh product and great flavors!

We started with a radicchio salad (special) and a half order of the bolognese pasta, both were very tasty. I ordered the daily fish (Branzino) which was cooked perfectly, crispy skin and a flavorful sauce. My husband ordered the chicken, which he enjoyed. We finished with the chocolate tart, the perfect ending! Good wine selection. We'll definitely be back!

It was my second visit to this restaurant. My husband and I went with our friends this time. The food is outstanding, and our waiter, Matt was absolutely fabulous. He was attentive, courteous, funny and very informative. We will definitely be returning to L'inizio soon.

We really like this restaurant. Came here when it first opened several years ago and a couple of times recently now that we live closer. The food is really very creative and the portion sizes just right. The pasta dishes cooked to perfection. Must try their cheesecake - it's so delicious. It's going to be a regular!

We have been here many times and the food and service is always outstanding. Heather welcomes you and makes you feel at home. She is a wonderful owner, hostess and pastry chef. We will return again soon.

If you are considered an above average restaurant then everything should be above average. An example, the octopus salad should look and taste like an octopus salad. My salad had everything but octopus. There were 3 SMALL pieces. I asked about this to the waitress, but nothing was done.

High expectations from good reviews when we came were not fulfilled. Started by ordering a bottle of wine from blackboard special, then it was no longer available. The owner suggested a similar wine, only $10 more. I did that, but no, you don't offer at a higher price when you are out of the listed wine. I eat out regularly and when this occurs on occasion the management says take this one at same price. I ordered as entrée the special pan seared top round lamb. Was it tough! Even though given a steak knife, one piece could not be cut after much effort. The others I just chewed and chewed until I swallowed. I really should have sent it back, but didn't want to take the effort. Could say more but this should be enough to give you at least my impression.

This restaurant came recommended by a friend. Food was ok. Not amazing. Not worth the price. Service was terrible. We had to flag down the waiter for everything; from getting a drink to an extra piece of bread. Then while having dinner, a waiter asked if we were done with the salt and took it and gave to another customer? They didn't have more salt? lol. Much better choices in Westchester county.

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